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2022 Philadelphia Eagles Preview
A radical change in offensive game planning mid-season carried last year's Philadelphia squad to a surprise playoff berth. Though considering Jalen Hurts' limitations as a passer (and Philadelphia's subsequent run-heavy approach) many wonder if last years early playoff exit was the ceiling of a Hurts-led offense.
Total White players on 53-man roster: 15*
Total White starters: 4
Starters listed in bold.
OFFENSE
QB: Gardner Minshew, Ian Book
TE: Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll, Grant Calcaterra
C: Jason Kelce, Cam Jurgens
G: Landon Dickerson, Josh Sills
T: Lane Johnson, Jack Driscoll
DEFENSE
S: Reed Blankenship
SPECIALISTS
K: Jake Elliot
P: Arryn Siposs
LS: Rick Lovato
INJURED RESERVE
TE: Jaeden Graham
RESERVE/PUP
G: Brett Toth
PRACTICE SQUAD
TE: Dalton Keene
WR: Britain Covey*, Devon Allen
*Britain Covey was temporarily elevated from the practice squad last week and returned punts against Detroit. There is some thought that he'll be signed to the active roster, putting Philadelphia then at a total of 16.
Starting on offense, Gardner Minshew is likely the most capable backup quarterback in football right now. It's surprising that his name hasn't surfaced in any trade rumors, as he could probably be starting for several clubs right now. The Eagles front office was quick to publicly and loudly squash any notions of a quarterback controversy early in the preseason, as Hurts deficiencies as a passer were evident throughout the season and their first round drubbing by Tampa. Ian Book was claimed off waivers during roster cut-downs and serves as QB3.
The offensive line room is the whitest on the squad, with position coach Jeff Stoutland revered as one of the best in the business. The rare coach who seems to choose players actually based on ability, he is unsurprisingly left with six White players (and three Polys, with one[!] Black). He's also the only coaching holdover from the Chip Kelly years, when they momentarily flirted with 27 White players. Jason Kelce remains one of the best centers in football, with much of his trademark athleticism still present into his thirties. Lane Johnson is another perennial Pro Bowl-caliber player who often goes overlooked by the national pundits. Landon Dickerson proved to be a day-one starter and absolute wrecking ball as a rookie last year, much how rookie Cam Jurgens looked in the preseason this year. Jack Driscoll provides the flexibility to play guard as well, while rookie undrafted free agent Josh Sills was a somewhat surprising addition to the 53-man out of camp.
Dallas Goedert is a speedy and athletic playmaker at tight end, who looks to have the starting job all to himself to start the year, with the departure of Zach Ertz in 2021. Dependable former UDFA Jack Stoll is used mainly as an in-line blocker (and is extremely good at it). Sixth-round pick Grant Calcaterra looked dynamic in the preseason as a receiver and is a good complement to Stoll in a "2a/2b" situation.
Despite being the only White defender in Eagles camp the entire summer, UDFA Reed Blankenship deservedly broke camp with the team. He played extremely well in coverage, against the run, and on special teams during the preseason. An extremely rare "White-player-makes-the-team-after-playing-well-in-preseason" situation that played out this year. This Eagles team (and practice squad) is heavy on White UDFAs; I'd be interested to see percentages of White players league-wide that had to start their careers undrafted.
As mentioned above, Covey has not yet been added to the active roster, but was "elevated" to return punts on Sunday. Philadelphia does not have any other punt returners on the roster, so there's a chance he's up for good (for now). He was one of the most dynamic return men in the country at Utah. Olympic hurdler Devon Allen showed undeniable speed and good hustle on special teams in limited run in the preseason, and that was enough to earn a practice squad spot. Dalton Keene is the fifth TE.
A radical change in offensive game planning mid-season carried last year's Philadelphia squad to a surprise playoff berth. Though considering Jalen Hurts' limitations as a passer (and Philadelphia's subsequent run-heavy approach) many wonder if last years early playoff exit was the ceiling of a Hurts-led offense.
Total White players on 53-man roster: 15*
Total White starters: 4
Starters listed in bold.
OFFENSE
QB: Gardner Minshew, Ian Book
TE: Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll, Grant Calcaterra
C: Jason Kelce, Cam Jurgens
G: Landon Dickerson, Josh Sills
T: Lane Johnson, Jack Driscoll
DEFENSE
S: Reed Blankenship
SPECIALISTS
K: Jake Elliot
P: Arryn Siposs
LS: Rick Lovato
INJURED RESERVE
TE: Jaeden Graham
RESERVE/PUP
G: Brett Toth
PRACTICE SQUAD
TE: Dalton Keene
WR: Britain Covey*, Devon Allen
*Britain Covey was temporarily elevated from the practice squad last week and returned punts against Detroit. There is some thought that he'll be signed to the active roster, putting Philadelphia then at a total of 16.
Starting on offense, Gardner Minshew is likely the most capable backup quarterback in football right now. It's surprising that his name hasn't surfaced in any trade rumors, as he could probably be starting for several clubs right now. The Eagles front office was quick to publicly and loudly squash any notions of a quarterback controversy early in the preseason, as Hurts deficiencies as a passer were evident throughout the season and their first round drubbing by Tampa. Ian Book was claimed off waivers during roster cut-downs and serves as QB3.
The offensive line room is the whitest on the squad, with position coach Jeff Stoutland revered as one of the best in the business. The rare coach who seems to choose players actually based on ability, he is unsurprisingly left with six White players (and three Polys, with one[!] Black). He's also the only coaching holdover from the Chip Kelly years, when they momentarily flirted with 27 White players. Jason Kelce remains one of the best centers in football, with much of his trademark athleticism still present into his thirties. Lane Johnson is another perennial Pro Bowl-caliber player who often goes overlooked by the national pundits. Landon Dickerson proved to be a day-one starter and absolute wrecking ball as a rookie last year, much how rookie Cam Jurgens looked in the preseason this year. Jack Driscoll provides the flexibility to play guard as well, while rookie undrafted free agent Josh Sills was a somewhat surprising addition to the 53-man out of camp.
Dallas Goedert is a speedy and athletic playmaker at tight end, who looks to have the starting job all to himself to start the year, with the departure of Zach Ertz in 2021. Dependable former UDFA Jack Stoll is used mainly as an in-line blocker (and is extremely good at it). Sixth-round pick Grant Calcaterra looked dynamic in the preseason as a receiver and is a good complement to Stoll in a "2a/2b" situation.
Despite being the only White defender in Eagles camp the entire summer, UDFA Reed Blankenship deservedly broke camp with the team. He played extremely well in coverage, against the run, and on special teams during the preseason. An extremely rare "White-player-makes-the-team-after-playing-well-in-preseason" situation that played out this year. This Eagles team (and practice squad) is heavy on White UDFAs; I'd be interested to see percentages of White players league-wide that had to start their careers undrafted.
As mentioned above, Covey has not yet been added to the active roster, but was "elevated" to return punts on Sunday. Philadelphia does not have any other punt returners on the roster, so there's a chance he's up for good (for now). He was one of the most dynamic return men in the country at Utah. Olympic hurdler Devon Allen showed undeniable speed and good hustle on special teams in limited run in the preseason, and that was enough to earn a practice squad spot. Dalton Keene is the fifth TE.
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